Paddle Georgia Forms Due Monday, May 6
The Paddle Georgia Information Packet is online at http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/2013/pgregistered2013.html and WE NEED YOU TO REVIEW IT AND COMPLETE YOUR REGISTRATION BY MAY 6. Thanks to everyone who has already sent their forms in. The packet is in pdf format. If you have trouble opening or printing it, contact us at info@garivers.org or 706-549-4508, and we will mail you a hard copy. The most important thing you can do to prepare for the trip is to read this information. If you are still confused about anything after reading the packet, feel free to contact our office. Please note that forms must be submitted by May 6 or we cannot guarantee meals or shuttles for you. Also note that refunds for meals and shuttles are only offered until June 1. After that date, we have made arrangements with caterers and transport companies and are unable to make refunds.

Participate in Canoeathon
If you haven't already done so, sign up for the 2013 Canoe-A-thon. Canoe-A-Thon 2013 participants who raise at least $200 will be eligible to register for Paddle Georgia 2014 during a special PRIORITY REGISTRATION period before regular open registration begins in Feb. 2014 for Paddle Georgia 2014. It is easy to sign up (only takes 5 minutes to set up an account) by clicking this link or pasting it in your web browser: http://www.garivers.org/paddle_georgia/pgcanoeathon.html. Thanks and contact Davin Welter at davin@garivers.org or 706-549-4508 if you have any questions. Don’t forget there are great prizes for our top fundraisers including the grand prize of a Dagger Zydeco 9 or a $400 store credit for any regularly priced boat from The Outside World.

Join Us for the Chattahoochee Hidden Gems Paddling Event
Paddle Behind the Scenes of Atlanta’s Work Horse on the Chattahoochee River
Presented by Georgia River Network, West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, Keeping it Wild, and Chattahoochee Riverkeeper

Join us for this exciting opportunity! Not only will there be an awe-inspiring presentation about the history of this behind the scenes 13-mile section of Atlanta's work horse - but also fascinating presentations on the wildlife that resides here and ways that you can get involved in water quality monitoring and river cleanups in your community.

Join us for the Etowah River User’s Guide book launch event at the Decatur Arts Festival
The Georgia Center for the Book will host a book launch event for our new Etowah River User’s Guide book on May 21st at 7:15pm in the Decatur Library Auditorium, as part of the Decatur Arts Festival. The event will feature a presentation by the Guide’s author, Joe Cook, a book signing, and the new guide book will be available for sale.

Joe Cook is the author of our Georgia River Network Guidebook series published by the UGA Press, is coordinator of Georgia River Network’s Paddle Georgia Event, and the executive director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative. Our new book, ”Etowah River User’s Guide,” published in cooperation with Coosa River Basin Initiative, is an appealing and handy look at the biologically diverse and beautiful Etowah River in North Georgia. Printed on waterproof paper by the University of Georgia Press, the book offers a fascinating history of the area and information valuable for novice or experienced paddlers as well as fishermen. It also will help explorers understand the threats facing the river and what steps can be taken to protect it for future generations. We’ll have copies of the book available for sale and signing.

You can find more information at http://www.georgiacenterforthebook.org/Events/show.php?id=581.

Albany College ApartmentsUpdate: Kids over 5 years of age can stay in the apartments with parents.
Participants have arranged a unique offer for anyone wanting to stay in indoors during the first 4 nights of Paddle Georgia. Albany State College has made apartments available for rent. The college is close to the Chehew Animal Park. The Apartments consist of 4 bedrooms, 2 baths and common area/kitchen. The apartments are air-conditioned. The bedrooms are all singles and have a locking door. Each bedroom is $27.00 per night. There is food available in the nearby student center. You will need to bring your own sleeping bags and pillows, linens not provided. There is a minimum of 10- 4 bedroom apartments that must rent to make the apartments work. Please email Bonny Putney bpputney@bellsouth.net with any questions or if you would like to rent.